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Show Honor War Dead of All Nations Sculptor Outlines Most Pretentious Preten-tious Tribute of Modern Times to Soldiers of World Wsr. MUSEUM AND TEMPLE IN. ONE In Conception It Can Be Compared Only to the Wonderful Basilica of Imperial Rome Is Leading Sculptor. Koma. An exhibition of Antonio Sclortino's "Monument of tli e Nations" Na-tions" will be opemd In Home in the fall, and the model, as well as thou-Hiinds thou-Hiinds of sketches and plans, Is to be on view in his studio at the British academy. This monument is one of the most pretentious ever planned in modern times. In conception It can be compared only to the wonderful basilica of Imperial Home. It was In 1917 that Professor Seior-tlno, Seior-tlno, pondering over the war In which millions of soldiers were killed, planned e monument which would be a fitting one for the heroic dead, as well as a museum and temple combined. His original Idea was that It should be an international monument, one which could be erected on some historic spot, ion a battlefield. He suggested to many Jriends that, while the bones scattered over many battlefields could be Interred In-terred In the walls of the crypt, one central tomb should be a memorial for all, whether privates or officers. On the sketches which he made In 1917 he wrote: "Plans for a monument to an unknown soldier and sailor." It was his idea that millions should consider con-sider that tomb the resting place of their own lost ones. For Noted Dead. The monument Is a building which will consist of three galleries, a library and a museum. In the first gallery there will be 300 Instrumental percussions, which will be heard for miles around ; in the second, 300 bells, which will peal on commemorative days, while In the central hall there will be an organ, to be played on solemn occasions. In whatever country coun-try It Is erected it would be not only n monument to the memory of the fullen soldiers, but also a kind of Westminster Abbey, where men of cote would be burled. 1 Antonio Sclortlno, who occupies the post of director of arts at the British Brit-ish academy In Home, Is a man of great talent and Is considered by many art critics to be the leading British sculptor of today. lie studies not only in Koine, hut also In Paris. Though still a young mail (lie Is thirty-nine years old) he has accomplished accom-plished much. He works quickly, modeling with a rapidity which is contrary con-trary to the custom of many modern sculptors. His quickest bit of work was a mask made when he was in Paris ten or twelve years ago while visiting a friend's studio. It happened to be his last day In Paris and he had culled In to say good-uy to a fellow sculptor. He had only twenty minutes to spare. .Seated In a corner, in an easy chair, was I.co Textonius, the American pianist, who had often asked Sciortino to make a model of his head. Sciortino took up a piece of clay and in little more than fifteen minutes had modeled a mask of the pianist. This mask was hanging in the American Amer-ican artist's studio when Rodin paid a visit there. Rodin was enthusiastic at the originality of the work. The winning of the competition In 1914, offered by the Duma committee of Kieff, was not only a personal, but an international success, as 300 sculptors sculp-tors of all nations competed for Ave years. Three times Sciortino competed com-peted and won money prizes. When In 1014 he won again It was decided to give him the order for the r.tatue. The decision of the committee caused great Indignation throughout Russia. The committee then decided to hold a referendum. All the prominent men and women of Russia were asked to view the model and decide whether the Russian models were equal to that of the British sculptor. They unanimously unani-mously held that the statue chosen was best of all the other 299. This referendum was taken carefully. The written opinions were placed In sealed envelopes, In a sealed box and only opened after all had finished voting. The occupation of the city in Moscow Mos-cow by the Bolshevists prevented the statue ever being erected and the final award was never given to the sculptor. Now an effort is being made by the committee to collect subscription subscrip-tion for the purpose of erecting the statue. |